Lubrication system for an oil shear clutch/brake drive

Abstract

A clutch/brake drive has a brake unit and a clutch unit. The brake unit and clutch unit each include a plurality of interleaved friction plates. The lubrication for the clutch/brake unit includes a plurality of axial and redial passages formed into the friction plates of both the brake unit and the clutch unit. This ensures continuous and adequate supply of lubricant to the clutch and brake to reduce friction and remove generated heat.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A clutch/brake drive comprising: a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said fluid outlet being separated from said fluid inlet;   a clutch ring rotatably disposed with respect to said housing;   a hub rotatably disposed with respect to said housing;   a brake disposed between said housing and said hub, said brake being movable between an applied condition where said hub is locked to said housing and a released condition where said hub can rotate with respect to said housing, said brake comprising a first plurality of friction plates alternately splined, respectively, to said housing and said hub;   a clutch disposed between said hub and said clutch ring, said clutch being movable between an engaged condition where said hub is locked to said clutch ring and a disengaged condition where said clutch ring can rotate relative to said hub, said clutch comprising a second plurality of friction plates alternately splined, respectively, to said hub and said clutch ring; and   a lubricant passage extending from said fluid inlet through said brake, through said clutch and to said fluid outlet, said lubricant passage being partially defined by said first and second plurality of friction plates, said lubricant passage directing lubricant flow serially from said fluid inlet radially inward through said first plurality of plates, then axially to said second plurality of friction plates then radially outward to said fluid outlet.   
     
     
       2. The clutch/brake unit according to claim 1 wherein, said lubricant passage is partially defined by a radial passage in said first plurality of friction plates. 
     
     
       3. The clutch/brake unit according to claim 2 wherein, said lubricant passage is partially defined by an axial passage in said first plurality friction plates. 
     
     
       4. The clutch/brake unit according to claim 1 wherein, said lubricant passage is partially defined by a first radial passage in said first plurality of friction plates and a second radial passage in said second plurality of friction plates. 
     
     
       5. The clutch/brake unit according to claim 4 wherein, said lubricant passage is partially defined by a first axial passage in said first plurality of friction plates and a second axial passage in said second plurality of friction plates. 
     
     
       6. The clutch/brake unit according to claim 1 wherein, said lubricant passage is partially defined by an axial passage in said first plurality friction plates. 
     
     
       7. The clutch/brake unit according to claim 1 wherein, said lubricant passage is partially defined by a first axial passage in said first plurality of friction plates and a second axial passage in said second plurality of friction plates. 
     
     
       8. The clutch/brake drive according to claim 1 wherein, said first plurality of friction plates comprise a plurality of exterior friction plates and a plurality of interior friction plates, said lubricant passage being partially defined by a radial passage in at least one of said plurality of exterior friction plates. 
     
     
       9. The clutch/brake unit according to claim 8 wherein, said lubricant passage is partially defined by an axial passage in at least one of said plurality of interior friction plates. 
     
     
       10. The clutch/brake drive according to claim 1 wherein, said first plurality of friction plates comprise a plurality of exterior friction plates and a plurality of interior friction plates, said lubricant passage being partially defined by a radial passage in at least one of said plurality of interior friction plates. 
     
     
       11. The clutch/brake drive according to claim 1 wherein, said first plurality of friction plates comprise a first plurality of exterior friction plates and a first plurality of interior friction plates, said second plurality of friction plates comprise a second plurality of exterior friction plates and a second plurality of interior friction plates, said lubricant passage being defined by a first radial passage in at least one of said first plurality of exterior friction plates and a second radial passage in at least one of said second plurality of exterior friction plates. 
     
     
       12. The clutch/brake unit according to claim 11 wherein, said lubricant passage is partially defined by a first axial passage in at least one of said plurality of first interior friction plates and a second axial passage in at least one of said plurality of second interior friction plates. 
     
     
       13. The clutch/brake drive according to claim 1 wherein, said first plurality of friction plates comprise a first plurality of exterior friction plates and a first plurality of interior friction plates, said second plurality of friction plates comprise a second plurality of exterior friction plates and a second plurality of interior friction plates, said lubricant passage being defined by a first axial passage in at least one of said first plurality of interior friction plates and a second axial passage in at least one of said second plurality of interior friction plates.